Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyng Rhodes
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first became intrigued with art at the age of three from what my mother has said. I began drawing on the walls and furniture of our home which often got me in trouble of course, but soon after my family took notice of my interest and began gifting with art supplies.
As I time went on I continued observing my surroundings and creating which landed me in multiple art programs while attending grade school through high school. When I graduated I decided to study graphic design over traditional art in college because I felt that it would allow for a steady income while allowing me to work in creative career. Once I graduated from college I worked as freelance graphic designer part time while also maintaining other jobs not related to my career. I was eventually hired as a graphic designer for a marketing company. I worked for them for close to a year before I decided to focus on a career as a full time professional artist.
I was blessed to be chosen to participate in the creation of a “Black Lives Matter” mural after the owners of organization that is now called GangGang noticed me protesting with a original painting of mine in 2020. This opportunity was very eye opening for me. This opportunity and the added encouragement from select family members like my grandmother made me pursue what I felt my original purpose was with even more determination, and that purpose was being an artist. From there I began exhibiting paintings that I had created over the years that were hanging on the walls of my apartment in galleries that were interested. The recognition that the black lives matter mural garnered introduced me to a lot of people in the art industry as did my first few exhibitions.
Since taking the leap of faith I have been blessed to exhibit in multiple galleries and museums. I have had opportunities to collaborate with national brands, and organizations. I’ve met people I admire, and have my work purchased by some of those people and organizations. God is good and I’m looking forward to receiving the blessing he has next for me and my career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part my journey has been a smooth one by the grace of God. If I were to say anything was challenging it would be navigating the business side of being a full time artist without having representation. My creativity is innate, but since I don’t have a gallery or art dealer representing me I don’t have anyone showing my work to potential collectors. They either have to find me when I am showing in a gallery, museum or through social media or I have to find them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a full time artist as I mentioned, at the moment I mostly work in charcoal, acrylics and mixed media occasionally.
My works are made up of very vibrant colors depicting figures bathed in beams of light that I like to call spotlights. A lot of my work incorporates symbolism, I try to create a euphoric and utopian atmosphere within my paintings and the space they occupy sometimes. I feel that my spirituality is made evident through some of the imagery I chose to include when creating my work. A lot of my work is a reflection of dreams that I have had or at least a moment from them that I can remember. I seek to be as authentic to myself as possible choosing to create from my experiences and things that I have witnessed. These choices and my desired to be authentically me are what I most proud of and what sets me apart from others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I first of have to give credit to the members of my family that noticed my gifts and my passions. Some of them invested me early in my childhood by purchasing art supplies for me to just go crazy with! My mother encouraged me by allowing me to attend schools that had magnet and international programs specifically designed for students interested in art. My grandmother is my heart and one of my biggest supporters and always has been. She encouraged to stop applying for “9 to 5” jobs and pursue my art. Her and my Uncle both said to me “you will not be truly happy until you’re doing what you love”. Their words gave me more confidence, they help me shake the feeling that pursuing art would be irresponsible. I’d like to give credit to all the art teachers I had that encouraged me and told me I was gifted and should pursue an artistic career. I’d also like to give credit to Mali and Alan Bacon the owners of GangGang for noticing me, investing in me and giving me a platform in which to share the my work. I’ve had several opportunities that have come about because of the work they are doing Indianapolis and beyond. I could thank so many more people, my little sister, some of my best friends, galleries and museum staffs I’ve worked with. I am thankful to everyone that has been supportive and I want them all to know they are appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kyngrhodes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyngrhodes
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iDGZ-Iaj6Gg
Image Credits
Francis Nwosu
Ashley Nora
